Since Sony released firmware 3.69, using h-encore on the latest firmware is no longer possible until now. Once again I need to emphasize, if your primary need to hack the Vita is simply to install the PSTV Whitelist hack, PSVimgTools-frontend will work on any firmware for that purpose. However, if you want to get around compatibility issues of games like Tearaway and Uncharted Golden Abyss, h-encore and Xperi's Video USB streaming plugin is essential and thus keeping your system on outdated is necessary. At least the Vita can be spoofed to access the PlayStation Network features.

In light of this firmware update, TheFloW, creator of h-encore, has been hard at work on a new exploit chain to install h-encore on 3.69. Two days ago, he announced to have got it working! However, for obvious reasons, you'll have to wait for the Vita's end of life... For realsies this time!

https://twitter.com/theflow0/status/1047080495312506880

Sony's latest stunt with firmware 3.69 is exactly the reason why TheFlow originally wanted to wait until after the Vita's discontinuation. Discontinuation essentially means the parent company is more or less done with the device, leaving hackers free to do whatever they want. Sony Interactive Vice President Hiroyuki Oda recently stated they were ending production of the Vita in Japan next year, but then again his statements may have been mistranslated. And Sony has been known to surprise us. The PSP's latest firmware update was released in 2015 - a year after it's discontinuation and nearly FOUR years after the previous firmware update. And while you cannot purchase them directly on the PSP, digital games for it can still be purchased from the PlayStation store, downloaded to a PS3 and then transferred via USB. Back in the day "obsolete" meant just that, now it's hard to tell what Sony still considers relevant. Looks like we'll need to do some waiting!